Kounde's Double Sinks Frankfurt as Barcelona Claims Thrilling Comeback Win
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Barcelona's French defender Jules Kounde proved to be the unlikely hero as he scored two headers to help the Catalans secure a 2-1 comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt in a thrilling Champions League match on Tuesday. The victory has bolstered Barcelona's chances of finishing in the top eight in the league phase. The match, played at Barca's home stadium Camp Nou, saw Frankfurt take an unexpected lead through Ansgar Knauff's goal in the 21st minute. However, Barcelona's fortunes changed in the second half, with Kounde scoring his first goal in the 50th minute and his second just three minutes later. The 22-year-old defender, who has struggled this season, played a crucial role in Barcelona's win. The match was a revenge for Barcelona, who were humiliated by Frankfurt in the Europa League in 2022. Frankfurt's fans packed the Camp Nou and were left disappointed as their team failed to secure a crucial win. The victory is a significant boost for Barcelona, who have struggled at times this season. Defeats to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain had left them in a difficult position in Europe, but this win has given them hope of avoiding the play-off round. Barcelona dominated the first half, but Frankfurt's rapid counter-attack caught them off guard. The visitors' goalkeeper was left exposed as Nathaniel Brown surged forward, and Knauff was able to capitalize on the opportunity. Despite creating several chances, Barcelona struggled to find the back of the net, and Frankfurt's Ellyes Skhiri came close to extending their lead with a shot that sailed just over the bar. The introduction of Manchester United's on-loan winger Marcus Rashford in the second half proved to be the turning point for Barcelona. He teed up Raphinha, who blazed over, before whipping in a cross for Kounde to head home in the 50th minute. The French defender's second goal came just three minutes later, and it sealed the win for Barcelona. Despite Frankfurt's best efforts, they were unable to find an equalizer and left the Camp Nou empty-handed.
